Augustin Villagomez came to Houston in the 1920s. His first job was in the V.A. Hospital, working as an Order for cleaning rooms for 38 cents per hour. After saving some money, he went to Morelia to marry his girlfriend, Anavelia Rivera. They had 3...

A collection of radio addresses from Mayor Oscar Holcombe. Mayor Holcombe gave some of these radio addresses in 1940 during his re-election campaign. He spoke about the achievements of the Holcombe Administration and the proposed projects...

In this interview from 1975, Louie Welch discusses his history as a politician in Houston. He began his career as a council member and served under Mayors Oscar Holcombe and Lewis Cutrer. Welch was then elected as Mayor to the City of Houston first...

Albert Goldstein worked with the Association of Jewish Charities at Bolivar, Maryland, and from 1946 to 1975 worked as the Director of the Jewish Community Council in Houston. Among his accomplishments were the award-winning Housing project for the...

Native Houstonian Gerald Smith discusses how he grew up to be chairman, CEO and co-founder of Smith, Graham & Co. Investment Advisors -- one of the nation's largest minority owned institutional investment managers.

E. A. (Everett Augustus) Lyons was first elected as Harris County commissioner in 1942, when road conditions were a major issue in the county because 85% of the roads were unpaved. Throughout the war, the county could not get parts and materials...

Robert Eckels describes his experiences as former Harris County judge. He discusses politics in Harris county and in the city of Houston, as well as his involvement in handling the influx of the evacuees from New Orleans during hurricane Katrina,...

Joseph "Joe" Jamail talks about growing up in Houston in the 1930s and his career as one of the top lawyers in America. He is considered one of the wealthiest lawyers in the nation and is often referred to as the King of Torts. Joe has given...

Subtitle: Containing the present state, county and city governments, and a complete list of all county officials, post offices and money order offices in Texas; also, an index of societies, associations, churches, corporations, educational...

The Black Art Center was established in Fifth Ward as a venue for the African American community of Houston “to express whatever kind of artistic talents they might have.” The organization received grant money from the Menil Foundation, among...

Ed Gerlach began playing piano at the age of 5 before switching his focus to soprano saxophone and later tenor saxophone. Gerlach discusses his career as a saxophonist, including his time with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Gerlach also share his...